CH. 8 public health

SARS-CoV-2

The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Gain of function

A type of life science research that introduces some new or added trait to an organism of interest.

Antivirals

Medications that help the body to ward off certain viruses that have the potential to cause disease.

mRNA

Messenger RNA is a kind of RNA that carries genetic information from a cell’s center to its cytoplasm, where the proteins are produced.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions

Any healthcare intervention that is not based on medication.

Mitigation

The action of decreasing the seriousness, severity, or painfulness of something.

Epidemic curve

A plot of time trends in the occurrence of a disease or other health related event for a defined population and time period.

Telehealth

Providing health care remotely through telecommunications technology.